Daily WHUFC News - 5th September 2014

Mediawatch - 4 September
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the written and digital media
04.09.2014

With the summer transfer window having shut on Monday evening, reporting is now focused on the current international break and players' hopes of returning to Barclays Premier League action with a win. That is certainly the case for two West Ham United players hoping to make their first competitive appearances of the 2014/15 season when the Hammers travel to Hull City on Monday 15 September. The first is Carl Jenkinson, who has told the Daily Express how he cannot wait to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt for the first time - potentially alongside former Arsenal team-mate Alex Song - at the KC Stadium. The second is Matt Jarvis, who was flying in pre-season before being slowed by a thigh injury. The winger is also set to return at Hull and told MailOnline he is relishing the opportunity to help the Hammers return to winning ways. On a different subject, the Daily Telegraph is one of a number of media outlets to report on the start of production on a new film chronicling the life of the late, great Bobby Moore OBE. The movie, which will be released next summer to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1966 FIFA World Cup success, is being co-written and co-produced by TV presenter and West Ham supporter Matt Lorenzo.

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West Ham United XI 5-1 Ipswich XI
WHUFC.com
Four goals from winger Matthias Fanimo led a West Ham United XI to a 5-1 victory over the Tractor Boys
04.09.2014

West Ham United winger Matthias Fanimo scored four goals, including a first-half hat trick, as a Hammers XI beat an Ipswich Town XI 5-1 at the Boleyn Ground. Nick Haycock selected a range of players, from new signings Alex Song, Diafra Sakho and captain for the day Diego Poyet to young professionals and Academy scholars such as Amos Nasha, Nathan Mavila and Lewis Page. The Hammers scored their first after only 12 minutes as Fanimo cut in from the left wing and shot into the far corner. West Ham were in control for the vast majority of the game as a midfield trio of Ravel Morrison, Song and Poyet dictated the game. Both teams had good chances to score in the early exchanges, young defenders Mavila and Moses Makasi both put in excellent blocks to protect Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal. Down the other end Sakho proved to be handful, his pace and strength too much for the Tractor Boys to handle. However, it would not be until the second half until he was rewarded with a goal for his efforts. It was not long until West Ham doubled their lead. Moments after Morrison had been denied a penalty after being bodychecked, Mavila was awarded a penalty, having been clipped in the box. The left-back dusted himself down and took the penalty himself, only to see his effort saved. However, the Ipswich 'keeper could only parry the shot into the path of Fanimo, who headed the rebound in.
The hosts continued to press for a third goal, yet found themselves pegged back after Ipswich striker Conor Sammon pounced on a loose ball inside the six yard box following a corner. Fanimo completed his hat-trick just before half-time, running onto a defence splitting pass from debutant Song and coolly sliding the ball under the onrushing 'keeper.

The second half took a while to get going, until a moment of sheer brilliance inspired West Ham's fourth of the afternoon. Song and Morrison combined in a series of majestic one touch tricks and flicks before leaving Sakho clear to finish off a truly stunning move. In the 62nd minute, the Hammers' put the game well beyond reach of the visitors. Morrison, who was instrumental in the majority of attacks, once again drove at the Ipswich back four. With three options ahead, he played in Fanimo for yet another calm finish. As both sets of players tired and a raft of substitutions took place, both sides had good chances to score. Sakho had several shots closed down, while Makasi tried an audacious overhead kick that went wide. Down the other end, Jaaskelainen made an excellent one-handed save to block the oncoming winger, before Sammon fired the rebound over the unguarded net. The match finished a resounding 5-1, with many positives for Haycock to take into next Friday's Development Squad match at home to Liverpool in the Barclays U21 Premier League. Kick-off at the Boleyn Ground will be at 7pm.

*Highlights and reaction from the 5-1 West Ham United XI victory over an Ipswich Town XI will appear on West Ham TV soon.

West Ham United XI: Jaaskelainen, Nasha, Mavila, Song, Page, Makasi, Gordon, Poyet, Sakho, Morrison, Fanimo
Subs used: Marlow, Bogard, Tombides, Labonne, Linley, Elsom, Sheriff

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VIDEO - West Ham XI 5-1 Ipswich XI
WHUFC.com
Exclusive highlights as Matthias Fanimo bagged four and Diafra Sakho netted a beauty
04.09.2014

Winger Matthias Fanimo scored four goals, including a first-half hat trick, as a West Ham United XI beat an Ipswich Town XI 5-1 at the Boleyn Ground.
Summer signing Diafra Sakho also converted to climax a fantastic one-touch move involving Ravel Morrison and debutant Alex Song as the Hammers produced an encouraging performance against the Tractor Boys. You can watch exclusive highlights of Thursday's victory, including the amazing build-up to Sakho's wonderful goal, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWoHGy1dZ1Y

Nick Haycock's Development Squad return to action at the Boleyn Ground on Friday 12 September, with kick-off in their Barclays U21 Premier League fixture with Liverpool at 7pm.

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Man from The Mirror
WHUFC.com
Read what The Daily Mirror football correspondent Darren Lewis makes of West Ham United's latest signings
04.09.2014

West Ham United's summer dealings have attracted a huge amount of attention and discussion. Supporters, Board members, management and team-mates have all had plenty to say about the strenghtening of the Hammers' squad in recent weeeks. Journalists have also written plenty of column inches and filled plenty of television and radio broadcast hours with their opinions. The vast majority of comments have been positive, with much excitement about the arrivals of Cheikhou Kouyate, Mauro Zarate, Alex Song, Aaron Cresswell, Carl Jenkinson, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia, Morgan Amalfitano and Diego Poyet.
Daily Mirror football correspondent Darren Lewis is among those who believe West Ham have spent their money wisely.

Darren, what have you made of West Ham's transfer dealings over the last few weeks?

"I agree with your Joint-Chairman David Gold that this has been an excellent transfer window. You've only let one player go, and brought in nine new faces, so you've got strength in depth. In particular the capture of Enner Valencia [is exciting], so both Chairmen deserve a lot of credit. "They've made West Ham stronger and they've made Upton Park a stronger place to come. Yes, you've had disappointing results in the first couple of games of the season, but I think after the international break, you'll be a different proposition."

One transition the Club has to make to get to the next level is to go from having a strong XI to a strong squad. If things do go wrong with injuries or players falling out of form, Sam Allardyce has got plenty of options now…

"I think he does. The late capture of Morgan Amalfitano has done well at West Brom and knows the Premier League well. Alex Song is a wonderful capture. You've lost Mo Diame but replaced him with another engine room with Cheikhou Kouyate, a fantastic signing I have to say. "You've got a very powerful midfield full of craft, energy, and creativity, still got Mark Noble as well who scores goals hopefully. You do have good strength in depth and good options to come off the bench in matches. It's a squad that isn't as weak as it has been in recent years.

"The good thing that I see about the West Ham squad is suddenly it's not players in their early 30s or late 20s who are looking for their last pay packet. Its players who still have a lot to offer. "Enner Valencia is a fantastic signing, make no mistake about that. He's powerful, versatile, he did well at the World Cup. There are now other clubs looking at West Ham thinking 'That's a very good signing, why haven't we signed someone like of that calibre?' I really do think you have good strength in depth. And I wonder for Andy Carroll when he comes back, because he's going to have a fight on his hands, as he should have at a big club. When he comes back, as talented as he is, he shouldn't walk straight back into the team."

One complaint fans have had in the last couple of years, certainly in the last decade, is that once a West Ham player has become a headline maker, they move on. With the stadium move coming up, the Joint-Chairmen really have put their hands deep in their pockets. As you mentioned, there have been a few high-profile names come in that other clubs perhaps have coveted...

"Yeah I do see a clear change, largely because the owners have a different vision for the club. They want to bring in better players to the Club and, from the players that have come in this summer, you can see they have been as good as their word. "Obviously they want to focus on their results, that's the thing that matters the most, but they want to bring in a better brand of football. They don't want to scrape to 1-0 wins, or the kind of campaign they had last season. They want to play attractive football, they want to entertain the fans.

"As far as the owners are concerned, they want players to do well at Upton Park and stay at Upton Park. I can see a situation where that does indeed happen. A lot of people look at signings like Cheikhou Kouyate and think he's going to do well at West Ham, and then move on. I don't necessarily think that that is the case. I think he could be a stalwart for West Ham fans and for the Club and have a prosperous career at the Club."

Every fan and every journalist likes to write their predicted league down. If you sat down and put your list of clubs, one to 20, a) where would West Ham be and b) what would you consider a good season for the Hammers?

"I would put West Ham about ninth or tenth and I would consider that to be a good season. I think what they're doing all the time at West Ham is building. Last season they consolidated their season by buying Andy Carroll. Whereas last season that was the be all and end all of the situation, this time around it is not.

"West Ham have now got players who can score goals; Diafro Sakho's come in, scored 20 goals in France last season and has adapted well to English football so far, so hopefully he'll do well in the Premier League and score some goals.

"You've got pace in the side, power in the side, cutting edge up front and now that injection of quality in Enner Valencia. I can see you finishing ninth or tenth,
possibly pushing on even further than that.

"But, this is the toughest Premier League season we've ever had. Manchester United are stronger, Everton are stronger than their team that finished in Europe last year. Spurs are very strong as well, people thought Southampton might sink without trace but they've bounced back quite strongly. So it is a tough league, but I do think West Ham will be there or thereabouts, largely because they have a better squad now than they did last season."

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Moore than a film
WHUFC.com
Production has begun on a feature-length documentary on the life of the late, great Bobby Moore OBE
03.09.2014

Production has begun on a feature-length documentary on the life of the late, great West Ham United and England captain Bobby Moore OBE. Co-produced and co-written by lifelong Hammer and television presenter Matt Lorenzo and made by Timeless films, its launch will coincide with the 50th anniversary of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup triumph Moore, who tragically passed away following a brave battle with cancer in February 1993 at the age of 51, made 646 senior appearances for West Ham, scoring 27 goals. He was also capped 108 times by England, scoring twice and lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley on 30 July 1966. Archive footage of Moore's life and times will blend with interviews, old and new, and the real stories behind his footballing glory; his battles with two bouts of cancer and the facts that led to false accusations about a stolen bracelet ahead of the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

The documentary is written and produced by acclaimed football journalist, TV presenter and devoted West Ham fan Lorenzo, a Hammers' fan ever since his father, Peter, started taking him to matches in the Sixties. Directing the project is the award-winning commercials and documentary maker Finn McGough, (Summer With The Johnsons, Banged Up Abroad), who will also co-write with Lorenzo. The new, but as yet untitled, Bobby Moore feature documentary project will be produced by Ralph Kamp (Postman Pat: The Movie, Manchester United: Beyond the Promised Land, The Phantom of the Opera), of Timeless Films. Timeless is also handling worldwide sales, with Entertainment One (eOne) distributing the film in the United Kingdom. The Bobby Moore film will be released in the summer of 2016, the 50th anniversary of the legendary World Cup win on that golden afternoon at Wembley. It will be launched with a World Charity Premiere in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Since its creation in 1993, the Bobby Moore Fund has raised £21m in its campaign against bowel cancer. The charity will also receive a percentage of the profits from the film. Bobby's widow and founder of the Fund, Stephanie Moore MBE, has given the film her blessing and offered her full support: "I really appreciate the filmmakers support for the Bobby Moore Fund."

Lorenzo said: "He was a kind, humble man who always had time for people. I can't think of any greater hero in our national game. To have known him personally only deepens my admiration. His was a life touched with glory, struggle, tremendous challenges and, towards the end, ill-deserved disappointment."
Director McGough noted: "Sadly I hadn't taken my first breath when England won the World Cup. For many of us born post 1966, Bobby Moore is a sporting hero but still somewhat of an enigma. With 2016 marking half a century since that historic win, now is the perfect opportunity to present the iconic image of the only English captain to have held the World Cup aloft. I'm thrilled to be on board, our film will bring his dramatic story vividly to life."

The project is also fully endorsed by the Football Association, who commented: "Outside Wembley Stadium there stands one statue: that of Bobby Moore. As we approach the 50th anniversary of England's finest sporting moment - winning the World Cup in 1966 - it is fitting we remember one of our greatest footballers by supporting the film that celebrates his life."

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Tomkins hails Hammers depth
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins believes West Ham United now have the strength in depth to make a real impact this season
03.09.2014

James Tomkins believes West Ham United now have the strength in depth to make a real impact in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers brought in nine new players this summer, adding to an already established backbone, and the No5 is excited about the prospect of lining up with both groups this term.
With Alex Song and Morgan Amalfitano adding to seven earlier captures, the centre-back believes West Ham now have the firepower, experience and ability to cause any opponent problems. "I'm looking forward to working with the signings we've brought in and seeing how they will add to the squad," said Tomkins. "I'm sure they will do because they're really good signings. "I think we did some really good deals in the transfer market, bringing in the players that we needed. They're going to add to our squad and they will be vital in helping us push towards where we want to get to."

Speaking specifically about Song, Tomkins says the former Arsenal midfielder possesses the qualities needed to inspire West Ham to the next level. "Alex Song is a massive player who comes with great experience in the Premier League. He has gone to Barcelona and trained with the best, so he is only going to help us, I should imagine. We're all really looking forward to playing alongside him."

And of Amalfitano, the 25-year-old recalled the assist the France midfielder provided for Saido Berahino in West Bromwich Albion's 1-0 win over the Hammers at The Hawthorns in April this year. "We played against Morgan last season at West Brom and he caused us a few problems and actually set up their goal as well, so he'll be an important player for us. It shows how much we're trying to strengthen our squad at the minute. Song, Amalfitano, and Tomkins will all be gunning to return to winning ways when West Ham head to Hull City for their next Barclays Premier League fixture on Monday 15 April. After home defeats by Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton - either side of a fine 3-1 win at Crystal Palace - the defender knows the Hammers need to get their season back on track as soon as possible. "We're obviously majorly disappointed with the Southampton defeat in a game we were expected to win, really, especially at Upton Park," he continued. "But I'm sure our home form will turn around. "We made a good start to our form away from home at Crystal Palace and we need to bring that forward to our next game, which is Hull. There is no point in looking back, we've got to look forward. "I think all over the pitch the other day, we didn't really get near Southampton at times. We will work on that in training. I'm sure with games we'll get fitter and stronger, while the new players will add to our team and hopefully we can go to Hull and get a victory."

At the KC Stadium, he could face a familiar face in Mohamed Diame, who moved to the East Riding of Yorkshire on transfer deadline day. "Mo did really well for us here and the fans really liked him, but he obviously wanted to move on. Everyone wishes him all the best."

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International round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's internationals are being kept busy during the current break from domestic action
04.09.2014

West Ham United's Sam Howes made his England U18 debut in successful fashion as the Young Lions roared to a 4-1 victory over the Netherlands in Bury.
Howes (pictured), fresh from his Hammers first-team debut in pre-season and winning the UEFA European U17 Championship with his country in May, lined up for his first crack at U18 international football on Wednesday 3 September. And it was another successful occasion for the 16-year-old, who was beaten only by a close-range strike from Marlon Slabbekoorn early on. England stormed back from a goal down to win comfortably, with Howes doing his job by making a fantastic double save to deny Ruben de Jager with the score still poised at 1-0 to the Dutch. The two nations will meet again at the same venue, Bury FC's JD Stadium, on Friday 5 September. Elsewhere, Jamie Harney's Northern Ireland U19s came back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with their Icelandic counterparts in Dungannon. The Northern Irish face the same opposition at Queen's Sport, Belfast, on Friday. This page will be regularly updated as West Ham's internationals appear for their respective countries over the coming days.

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Hammers on Song in Tractor Boys romp
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th September 2014
By: Staff Writer

Matthias Fanimo stole the show as a West Ham XI beat an Ipswich Town XI 5-1 at the Boleyn Ground this afternoon. The Academy youngster scored four times as the Hammers eased past their Championship counterparts in a specially-arranged friendly, in which a number of first team squad members not travelling with their respective countries this week got some valuable match time. However it was West Ham's only goal not scored by Fanimo - scored by new boy Diafra Sakho - that will no doubt feature heavily on forthcoming YouTube goal compilation videos. Sakho's fellow new signing Alex Song and Ravel Morrison - no stranger to a worldy or two - combined expertly on the edge of the box in a move reminiscent of those Song may have been used to practising with former team mate Mionel Messi at Barcelona. And Sakho was on hand to finish off the move which drew gasps from those watching from the sidelines.

ra'vel ✔ @morrisonravel
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I think me song and Sakho scored the best goal u will ever see at WHU #tikitaka

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THE MYSTERY OF JACK COLLISON
By Iain Dale 4 Sep 2014 at 16:00
West Ham Till I Die

So far as I know, Jack Collison still hasn't found himself a club, despite having trials with both QPR and Ipswich Town. Like many of you, I was very sad when he was released by us at the end of last season. He is a model pro, who always gave his best. At one time he really looked as if he would be a first team regular but the injury which put him out of the game for a long time has clearly had an impact. The thing is, he always had a nose for goal and scored some brilliant goals for us. I've looked him up and in fact he only scored 11 times in 105 games, but it feels like more than that.

Surely there must be a Championship club who could make use of Jack Collison's undoubted talents?

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SHOULD A WEST HAM MANAGER HAVE PRE-EXISTING LINKS TO THE CLUB?
By Iain Dale 4 Sep 2014 at 12:00
West Ham Till I Die

Guest Post by Hamburg Hammer

It may happen in a few weeks. It may happen at the end of the season. Or it may coincide with our move to the OS. Sooner or later West Ham United will have a new manager. Regardless of the fact that Sam Allardyce is still our manager with a valid contract till the end of the season the speculation about his successor have started.

Posters have thrown hats with managers' names attached to it into the ring already, discussing the likes of Moyes, Bilic, Pulis, Mackay. Fans seem to have differing opinions on which criteria is the most important one when finding a new manager.

In our case there is the added incentive (or burden, depending on which way you wanna look at it) that soon we will be playing in the OS, having to fill 54.000 seats for league games, also on the proverbial cold and rainy Tuesday night in November, playing Burnley.

So one criteria definitely is a manager who can build a squad (and set it up accordingly) that delivers quality, attractive passing football almost instantly and constantly. And he should be a great man manager of different egos and mentalities as you don't survive long in this league without the ability to do that. Which leads to another criteria that is somewhat connected to the way most fans want us to play: Should the new manager have previous West Ham connections, ideally as a former player?

The argument being that this manager would understand our history, our tradition, the brand of football West Ham fans crave for, and know about the player types that have been and are still revered around the East End, names like Moore, Brooking, Devonshire, Alvin Martin, Billy Bonds, Dicks, Cottee, DiCanio, Tevez – the list goes on.

It's a point I can identify with to a degree. It's always nice to welcome home a familiar face, to evoke memories from seasons ago and reminisce. We can also presume that former players have the club at heart (at least to a certain degree) and would also be given a ton of goodwill from the fans, probably more than a foreigner or a no-name manager coming in from abroad, someone like…Pochettino ?

Yes, your average football fan didn't know who that man was when he arrived at Southampton. They had never heard his name. The man was a former defender from Argentina who didn't even speak English to begin with. He didn't know the Premier League. Or England. He knew nothing about Southampton. Not about the place, not about the club.
But he was a success, offering nice attacking football, making a number of Southampton players attractive transfer targets for bigger clubs and earning himself a transfer to Spurs to be their new manager.

Contrast that with former West Ham players like Harry Redknapp. Would we want him back at West Ham ? Curbishley ? Not a good idea! Paul Ince ? Nah. DiCanio ? Not really, no matter how entertaining this ride would be! But then there is Bilic: Well spoken, knows the Premier League and West Ham and has done reasonably well for Croatia and Besiktas so far. Steve Potts is another one, a former defender and true Hammers legend who already is in the West Ham coaching set up.

Who knows where Julian Dicks might end up manager wise eventually. There are loads of former (or present) West Ham greats I could imagine as future managers. But also others I wouldn't want near our club ever again.

The point is: Pochettino has shown that you don't need a famous name to make it as a manager in the Premier League. You don't need previous experience in this league or at that particular club to make it all work. You even can deliver exciting football if you've been a center back throughout your active career as a footballer. Do I want a new manager with West Ham connections ? I'd prefer one, yes, but only if he ticks the other boxes as well.

Having West Ham connections should just be the icing on the cake for us fans, so to speak. If we 'only' get a progressive manager who knows what he's doing, who gets our team to play better football and manages to put some pride back into our club I can gladly do without the icing. He'd be accepted at our club with open arms and could turn himself into a true West Ham legend in the process.

Even if he doesn't yet know the words to 'Bubbles' when signing his contract.

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THE BIANCA WESTWOOD COLUMN - LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...
By Bianca Westwood 4 Sep 2014 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die

Welcome to my first Hammers blog. In actual fact it's my first blog full stop! Initially I had big plans to delve into the history of my life long love affair with all things West Ham United. That'll keep. Because with all the excitement and chaos at Sky Sports HQ over the last few days (and weeks!) I couldn't really ignore the drama of the latest transfer window. So for what it's worth here's my take…

I've been pleasantly surprised by what's been happening at Upton Park. OFF the pitch anyway. You can't argue with some of the quality that's been brought in. I watched Ipswich several times the last couple of seasons and Aaron Cresswell was more often than not the best player on the park. He's tricky and pacey, loves to get forward and when he does he can deliver. He's a good old fashioned attacking full back, the likes of which we haven't seen in a few years. Getting from box to box quickly and whipping those deadly balls in should not be a problem and of course he can defend which helps.

Morgan Amalfitano is another solid signing. My friends at West Bromwich Albion were sorry to see him return to Marseille at the end of last season but I'm sure they won't be too thrilled to see him back at the Hawthorns on 2 December! He was used mainly on the right wing for the Baggies and who can forget his stunning solo goal at Old Trafford last September? Then again one wonder goal does not a superstar make (Modibo Maiga anyone?). The Frenchman has said he prefers to play behind the striker. I'm not 100% certain that's where Big Sam sees his role so I think he'll learn to get versatile in this team. Everyone else has to!

I didn't know anything about Enner Valencia until he scored for Equador during the World Cup. Next time I saw him he'd rocked up at Chadwell Heath pre-season. I was gobsmacked. £12m is by no means a snip but he was in admirable form for Mexican side Pachuca last season and of course in Brazil he looked an explosive young talent. He's quick, looks hungry and is eager to impress. Hopefully knows where the goal is too. He has said he has desires of bringing European football to East London (bless him) so he may have to rethink his ambitions slightly but hey the boy can dream!

Talking of dreams I did have to rub my eyes when I saw Alex Song being paraded at the Boleyn ground. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the claret and blue. I'm just glad they got his signature before the Southampton game. Otherwise he might have hijacked DG's chopper at full time & zipped off back to sunny Spain.

A grilling for Downing
As for Sakho, Zarate & Kouyate I have to admit I wouldn't have recognised them if I'd walked past them on Green Street before the season started but from what I've seen and heard so far I'm satisfied they'll do the business for us. Zarate's strike at Palace was different class, Sakho is also off the mark already, albeit in a cup defeat, but getting a good start can only be a positive thing. As far as Kouyate is concerned, well I haven't seen him play in the flesh yet but everyone is raving about him. When I interviewed Stuart Downing for Soccer Saturday last week he was waxing lyrical about the lad. He was really impressed with how quickly he had settled in. He's strong, aggressive, wins tackles, breaks the game up and shoulders the burden of the defensive play, giving his attacking team mates the luxury of getting forward. He's a terrific find! Downing also said that there are no excuses now. There's nowhere to hide. He's absolutely spot on.

At times last season with Andy Carroll out we looked lost and half the time appeared defeated before a ball was kicked. We had nowhere to go. We barely had a fit eleven and players were played way out of position. Again we flirted with the drop. For far too long. It CANNOT be the case for Sam Allardyce and the boys this time. The board has backed him, he's been given good money to spend and this time he's not put all his eggs in one 6ft 3in Geordie-sized basket. But it does mean Big Sam has to deliver. He has the squad now they just have to show up.

As I work on a Saturday I didn't get to see the Southampton game. Lucky me I'm told. It seems we were woeful. With so many new players arriving they will need time to gel so I think we can pull them a squeeze for that defeat. But the gaffer must show what he can do with this team and quickly.

A lot has been said about Sam and his style but look at it this way. When he walked into our club after the Avram Grant debacle the club was a shambles. He took the team by the scruff of the neck and dragged us back into the Premier League. He kept us up by hook or by crook. No it wasn't pretty but we survived and 10th and 13th place respectively is not to be sniffed at in this division. Plus, the players respect the manager. There is a great togetherness and the lads genuinely like him and each other. There's a lot to be said for that and Sam's ability to foster a cohesive unit shouldn't be underestimated. Whether or not the board have really demanded attractive football is another story but over the coming weeks and months I think we'll find out. Downing dodged that question extremely well. I asked him in a plethora of ways whether there had been a conscious effort to adopt a more expansive method of play but he was artful in his deflection. He did say that winning games breeds confidence and that THAT will have a positive effect on the way we play. We proved that against Palace. In spells the football was just like the West Ham we fell in love with. But let's not fool ourselves here, at the time the Eagles were in crisis.

We can't get too comfortable. Beating Tottenham three times in a season is a hell of a lot of fun but it's not enough. We've already screwed that one up now anyway. I'm prepared to give Allardyce a chance. Easy for me to say when I'm not paying the big bucks for a season ticket to watch some of the dross that was served up on occasion last season, or yet another relegation dogfight. I know this. However, I'm eager to see what the gaffer can do with this calibre of squad at his disposal. Questions have been asked about his ability to evolve but he deserves the chance to try. Sam Allardyce has never been relegated…but can he bestow upon us the flowing, attack-minded, possession-heavy, footballing exuberance that us misty-eyed Hammers fans still fantasise about? Can Sam give us sexy football?

Well, with the international break it's the perfect opportunity to do the graft, get it right and give Messrs Neville and Carragher the chance to analyse our beloved team for all the RIGHT reasons when we visit the KC on Monday week. Oh and here's hoping that Mo Diame has a VERY quiet game.

B

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Hammers hero joins ClaretandHugh
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

ClaretandHugh is proud to announce the arrival of Leroy Rosenior as our No 1 columnist for the 2014-15 season …and going forward! Fearless Leroy was one of the bravest strikers ever to wear the claret and blue and between 1988-92 became a hero to the Upton Park Army. He was one of the most whole-hearted players in our recent history who, before being hit with a crippling knee injury, scored 15 times in the 53 games he played for the club. Leroy always tells it as it is! There will be no mealy mouthed sucking-up to anything or anybody at the club and he promises to give an absolutely honest opinion on the big issues affecting West Ham United. A ceaseless campaigner against racism in the game, he is one of the few black players to have gone on to become a manager.
He has often spoken about the racism he experienced as a player and a manager. He has said there is a glass ceiling holding back qualified black coaches from getting the top jobs. He has become one of the game's most widely respected pundits and on joining ClaretandHugh he said: "I am delighted to have been asked – I think it's a terrific resource for all Hammers. "I'm an Iron and this is my personal first stop site for all the latest news.I hope I can add forthright, honest and balanced analysis and insight on all aspects of life at the Boleyn – a place which has such special memories for me." Welcome aboard Lee – we're proud to have you with us. In his first column Leroy tells why he believes Enner Valencia is a big gamble for the club. Check it out!

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Irons hero: "Valencia's a gamble"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior believes that virtual free signing Mauro Zarate is a safer bet than £12 million 'marquee' arrival Enner Valencia.
Rosenior was a big Irons favourite as a player and as a regular ClaretandHugh columnist this season makes it clear that Valencia is a gamble. Leroy – who was with the Hammers for four years in the late 80s and early 90s said: "I always think it's dangerous signing players off the back of a big World Cup. "The Premier League is totally different and very hard and I hope he does it for us but I have to reserve judgement. He was on a roll in the World Cup…time will tell if he's a Premier League player.

However, when you see strikers like Russ McCormack going to Fulham for £11 million you have to agree with David Sullivan that the market is crazy. "Had any of us heard of Valencia before the World Cup? Had Sam? I hope so and I also hope he scores the 12-15 goals that are being expected." Rosenior believes that Zarate meanwhile has returned to the country and Premier League a far more mature player and has already shown that he will be quite at home here. "He's a top player – a throwback to the West Ham players of the past and will be very creative in the hole. "He cost the club next to nothing and for me has been the arrival of the summer."

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Ravel hails best goal you will ever see at West Ham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Ravel Morrison has hailed a wonder goal scored by Diafra Sakho this afternoon as the best goal you will ever see at West Ham. It involved help from Alex Song and himself of course. Ravel tweeted "I think me song and Sakho scored the best goal u will ever see at WHU" after the behind closed doors game at the Boleyn ground against an Ipswich XI this afternoon as a 5-1 win.

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